Shortstop Alexis Garcia smashed a shot over the left field fence for a two-run walk-off homer to give Sam Houston a split in a Southland Conference softball doubleheader with Stephen F. Austin Friday afternoon.
The Lumberjacks won the first game 3-2 but the Bearkats bounced back for a 2-1 victory in the second. The home run was Garcia's first of the season and came with the Sam women one out away from a loss. Catcher Tiffany Castillo also scored after reaching first on a fielder choice.
Senior Meme Quinn spread five hits over seven innings as she hurled five scoreless innings after giving up an early run. Quinn upped her season record to 8-6 with the victory in the circle.
In the opening game of the doubleheader, right fielder Sarah Allison blasted a two-out home run over the fence in left center in the bottom of the fourth inning to open scoring in the contest. The homer marked the senior's ninth ball out of the park for the season and the 31st of her career.
Catcher Taylor Fraccastoro and designated player Lindsay Lewis led off the top of the sixth inning with consecutive singles. Three more singles by third baseman Taylor LeFlore, second baseman Autumn Holloway and right fielder Heather Hollingsworth each brought in a run to put SFA on top 3-1.
Sam Houston cut the margin to one run as catcher Tiffany Castillo singled to score center fielder Jessica Slater in the bottom of the sixth. Slater singled, reached second when Dani Allen was hit by a pitch and reached third on a wild pitch. Pinch runner Ashley Kopps was thrown out at home on the wild pitch as Fraccastoro retrieved the ball and tossed it back to first baseman Shalie Day for the out that kept Slater's run from tying the game.
The Bearkats were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the opening game. Callee Guffey (11-13) was the winning pitcher for the Jacks, spreading five Bearkat hits over seven innings. Starter Tayler Atkinson (3-9) took the loss. Jordan Franks pitched the final inning and a third in relief.
SFA jumped in front early in the nightcap as center fielder Lindsay Campbell led off the second inning with a double and scored on a single down by right field line by third baseman Taylor LeFlore. But Quinn retired 15 of the next 18 batters she faced to earn the win.
Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin will meet in the regular season finale for both teams at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Softball Complex. Neither squad will be going to the Southland tournament next week. Senior day ceremonies will start 20 minutes before the game.
